basic first aid kit

Guide To Putting Together A Basic First Aid Kit

Accidents happen all the time or, better said, when you least expect it, therefore, you have to be ready to handle the situation when it occurs as, at times, your life may depend on it.

A basic first aid kit should be made available at all the locations you spend a considerable amount of time at, such as in your house, car or office. A basic first aid kit may not look like much, but in case of an emergency it can actually save your life.

Basic Items For A Basic First Aid Kit

The first thing to do for a first aid kit is to find a container that is moisture resistant and is clearly marked for all to notice as ‘first aid kit’. First aid kit boxes are available ready made, as well, in all drug and department stores or you can put it together yourself.

Here are the basic items that a basic first aid kit should contain at any given time in order to be able to be of any assistance in case of emergency: first aid manual, this is extremely important because there may be times when you are faced with a situation which you cannot resolve by yourself but you can help once you look up in the manual; gloves will help you keep both yourself and the wound you’re dealing with clean, sharp scissors to cut any cloth involved but with blunt nose so it does not hurt anyone in the process.

Sterile gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic cream, hydrocortisone cream, rubbing alcohol and pain killers are must haves in a basic first aid kit. There are more things you can add to it in order to make it complete for your needs such as your prescription medications and any other instructions that you think may help save your life in case of emergency.

Educate Yourself

When you have some time on your hands, and/or if there is anyone in your home with a specific medical condition, try and educate yourself in the area in case of any emergency. First aid in an emergency situation can save a life and can make you feel good to be the one responsible for such a good deed.

When you are not sure of a procedure, it’s better that you check rather than perform it the wrong way, especially if you are doing something really important such as CPR, which, when done wrong, can easily cost someone’s life or serious complications.

Basic first aid kits are meant to provide the basic help until professional assistance arrives, so, get your kit together and learn how to use it in case of emergency, you never know whose life you may have in your hands tomorrow or who may save your life with your well stocked basic first aid kit.

What You Need To Know About Administering Basic First Aid

First aid is the process of offering initial help to a person who is injured or sick and in need of immediate medical assistance. The key to successful basic first aid is subscribing to the old Boy Scout adage, “Always be prepared”. The first step of becoming prepared for an emergency is to learn how to give basic first aid if the need ever arises.

Fortunately, there are an abundant number of opportunities to learn basic first aid in most communities. Basic first aid courses will include how to stop a wound from bleeding, immobilizing a limb that might be broken, and giving CPR to a person who is unconscious. Choking, poisoning and when to call for help are also included in these courses. Once you have made your way through a basic first aid class, a manual should be kept in your first aid kit to refer to when necessary.

When In Doubt, Call For Help

While basic first aid training will help you to assess situations and determine what type of help is necessary, if you are ever in doubt about the severity of a person’s condition, call 9-1-1. It is far better to err on the side of caution in these instances than to attempt to administer basic first aid to a person with a life-threatening emergency. Once you have called for help, you can discern what you can do to make the victim more comfortable by applying your basic first aid techniques. It is always a good idea to keep a basic first aid kit in your home, and in your car, so that you are always prepared to help someone who is in trouble.

Your basic first aid kit should include medications such as pain relievers, antihistamines and stomach medications. Bandages of assorted sizes are an essential, along with other wound treatment like antibiotic ointment and hot/cold compresses. Outdoor kits should include supplies to treat insect stings, sunburn, poison ivy and heat exhaustion. Items to treat accidental poisoning, such as Syrup of Ipecac can also be included. Basic tools to have on hand are tweezers, scissors and a thermometer. With a good basic first aid kit, you will be equipped to handle emergencies from a minor cut or abrasion to a broken limb or possible concussion. For more serious matters, you should keep phone numbers for your doctor, pharmacy and poison control center in your basic first aid kit as well.